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| USAAF 5th AF 38th BG 71st BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Harry Serser, O-726488 (MIA / KIA, BR) NY Co-Pilot F/O Robert O. Kitchin, T-187700 (MIA / KIA) Coahoma County, MS Bombardier / Navigator 1st Lt. Albert W. Heatter, Jr., O-666663 (MIA / KIA) Chicago, IL Radio SSgt Melvin C. Fearnow, 13102691 (MIA / KIA) Hagerstown, MD Gunner SSgt John Williams, 37421600 (MIA / KIA) IA Crashed January 16, 1944 at 10:35am MACR 1690 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8344. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30179. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Modified into a B-25D-1 strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Wartime History On July 22, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG) "Sun Setters", 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS) "The Wolf Pack". Nicknamed "Sweet Jeanne". Assigned to pilot Lausman with crew chief Cunningham. Later assigned to pilot 1st Lt. Harry Serser. When lost engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-31915 and 41-20908. Weapon serial numbers listed in Missing Air Crew Report 1690 (MACR 1690). Mission History On January 16, 1944 at 7:45am took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Harry Serser as one of 21 B-25s from 71st BS, 405th BS and 822nd BS on a low level mission against the north coast of New Guinea from Cape Gourdon to Cape Croiselles. The bombers rendezvoused with P-38 escort and proceeded to the target. The weather was overcast at 12,000' with visibility of 20-30 miles. Over the target area, this B-25 was observed to dive below tree level and crash on the south side of the Nuru River near Cape Croiselles. Possibly, one crew member bailed out prior to the crash. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Wreckage This B-25 crashed inland of the Nuru River near Nuru village and Buru villages. During late April 1944, the Australian Army liberated the area and located the crash site. Recovery of Remains During June 1944, the remains of the crew were recovered from the crash site and were temporarily buried in New Guinea. Postwar, the crew were transported to the Philippines and United States for permanent burial. John Douglas adds: "A kiap (patrol officer) reported this wreck is near Sinaji village." Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Each member of the crew earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. Serser was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery, Los Angeles at row 71. Kitchin is buried at buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot F row 15 grave 91. Heatter is buried at buried at Manila American Cemetery at at plot A row 5 grave 200 Fearnow was buried was buried on June 26, 1948 at Rest Haven Cemetery in Hagerston, MD at Lawn, Lot 158, Space 2. Williams is buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot F row 9 grave 55. References Note, some sources list the nickname as "Exotic Express" NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Harry Serser NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert O. Kitchin NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Albert W. Heatter, Jr. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Melvin C. Fearnow USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30179 "30179 (38th BG) lost Jan 16, 1944. MACR 1690" Missing Air Crew Report 1690 (MACR 1690) created January 17, 1944 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30179 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Robert O. Kitchin American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Albert W. Heatter, Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - John Williams FindAGrave - Harry Serser (grave photo) FindAGrave - FltOff Robert O Kitchin (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Melvin C. Fearnow (grave photo) FindAGrave - SSGT John Williams (tablets of the missing) Sun Setters of the Southwest Pacific Area (2011) pages 267-269 (January 16, 1944), 269 (41-30179), AII-7 (January 16, 1944, 41-30179), AIII-6 (71st FS, 41-30179), ix-12 (index Serser) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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 B-25  MIA 5 Missing |
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